Electronic hearing protection and hearing game - whats best?

[RockAndSage]

I’ve had similar experiences. You can turn the volume up on most of these to the point where you can hear things that other people who don’t have seriously impacted hearing can’t. The downside is that you are also turning up all the background noise. That background noise will full-on wear your ass out after a whole day of chasing scaled quail on the windy-ass prairie while walking through shin oak. Even the sound of your footfalls gets magnified. I have not found a solution for that.

I also agree that buying good ear pro that has a high NRR is more important for big game and rifle range work because your initial dB levels are much higher with centerfire rifles. I have not looked at these for some time, but last time I did the Otto Noizbarriers had the highest NRR of any I saw (30ish?). That was only if you used the expanding foam earpieces though. If you use the silicon ones the NRR was in the low 20s, IRRC. That’s a huge difference. The people I’ve talked to who’ve used the Ottos reported having directional hearing with them, but I cannot comment as to how they compare with other makes on that front.

Checked out SoundGear's page after your recommendation, that looks like some really good stuff over there.

 

[ElPollo]

Checked out SoundGear's page after your recommendation, that looks like some really good stuff over there.

Mine are getting pretty dated at this point. I got them from my local audiologist for half the cost they had on their website at the time. They are custom fit to your ears and they were not rechargeable at the time. 6 years down the road, I’m starting to wonder if they are fitting the same as they used to. Need to go back to my audiologist to ask about that. They also had only a 22-23 NRR rating. If the new ones are similar, I would look for something that has a higher rating. I would also look for the expanding foam earpieces pieces, as opposed to the custom fit versions. You will need to replace them regularly, but they give you a lot more NRR than silicon of custom fitted plastic. The expanding foam earplugs at Walmart have an NRR of 30-33 dB while a set of Peletor electronic muffs top out at like 26 dB.

 

[OneGunTex]

Upgraded to the Walker's Ultimate Quad BT, and they've been pretty sufficient so far. They're not Peltors, but directionality is pretty good and they're priced at a point where I wouldn't vomit if they fell into a marsh. Used them on waterfowl this year, and had to take them off a few times when hearing geese and ducks way out - the mics picked them up so well the birds sounded 100-200 yards out when they were a mile out or more. Especially with geese. They're the cheapest I'd go on commercial digital ear pro, but are a great price for that. The real test will be on quail and chukar this fall.

You talking about these? On sale for $60 at Midway right now. I think that's what my base model Walkers cost years ago.

Walker's Ultimate Digital Quad Connect Electronic Ear Muffs Olive Drab

The Walkers Ultimate Quad Connect are more than just protection for your ears, they allow you to sync your mobile device, including your phone using...

www.midwayusa.com

 

[RockAndSage]

You talking about these? On sale for $60 at Midway right now. I think that's what my base model Walkers cost years ago.

Walker's Ultimate Digital Quad Connect Electronic Ear Muffs Olive Drab

The Walkers Ultimate Quad Connect are more than just protection for your ears, they allow you to sync your mobile device, including your phone using...

www.midwayusa.com

Yep, that's them. I paid 80 or 90 on sale, IIRC.

 

[txtransplant]

Mine are getting pretty dated at this point. I got them from my local audiologist for half the cost they had on their website at the time. They are custom fit to your ears and they were not rechargeable at the time. 6 years down the road, I’m starting to wonder if they are fitting the same as they used to. Need to go back to my audiologist to ask about that. They also had only a 22-23 NRR rating. If the new ones are similar, I would look for something that has a higher rating. I would also look for the expanding foam earpieces pieces, as opposed to the custom fit versions. You will need to replace them regularly, but they give you a lot more NRR than silicon of custom fitted plastic. The expanding foam earplugs at Walmart have an NRR of 30-33 dB while a set of Peletor electronic muffs top out at like 26 dB.

I ordered a pair of Phantoms last year, and was surprised to see that the custom molds were plastic. I assumed they would be silicone. They seem to be okay, but I haven’t had a chance to shoot my rifle yet.

I never found any in-ear electronic ear pro that had foam tips which are *long enough* to stick in my ears well.

It sure seems like all of the foam tips I can find are half the length I would want them to be. Not sure if I’m the only person on earth with this issue, or if there’s a product market gap that needs to be filled, but I searched for years to find an ear buds with sufficient foam tips. They don’t seem to exist for me.

 

[Davyalabama]

I wanted to try the otto's, but the 20% restocking fee if you broke the seal seemed a bit over-the-top. I sent them back, unopened.

 

[Marshfly]

The expanding foam earplugs at Walmart have an NRR of 30-33 dB while a set of Peletor electronic muffs top out at like 26 dB.

The cheap plugs only achieve that with a perfect seal and perfect insertion. Very few people achieve that. Customs are a perfect seal and perfect insertion every time.

In reality, the customs will be higher NRR than cheap foams for the vast majority of people.

 

[ElPollo]

The cheap plugs only achieve that with a perfect seal and perfect insertion. Very few people achieve that. Customs are a perfect seal and perfect insertion every time.

In reality, the customs will be higher NRR than cheap foams for the vast majority of people.

I agree that people can use anything poorly. That said, the expanding foam is much more likely to provide a better seal and a higher NRR if you use them correctly. My issue with the custom fit plugs I have is that they have a relatively low NRR, and I’m getting the feeling that your ear canals can change over time. I’m just not getting the fit on these that I used to. The flip side of that is that I’ve gotten six years of use out of my non-rechargeable, custom fit plugs, which is a heck of a return on that investment. The rechargeable versions may not last as long and the availability of foam inserts for plugs that use them may not be there over the long term. Everything is a give and take. I’m just trying not to give any more of my hearing than I have to.

Appreciate these discussions, because they will inform my next ear pro purchase.

 

[Marshfly]

I agree that people can use anything poorly. That said, the expanding foam is much more likely to provide a better seal and a higher NRR if you use them correctly. My issue with the custom fit plugs I have is that they have a relatively low NRR, and I’m getting the feeling that your ear canals can change over time. I’m just not getting the fit on these that I used to. The flip side of that is that I’ve gotten six years of use out of my non-rechargeable, custom fit plugs, which is a heck of a return on that investment. The rechargeable versions may not last as long and the availability of foam inserts for plugs that use them may not be there over the long term. Everything is a give and take. I’m just trying not to give any more of my hearing than I have to.

Appreciate these discussions, because they will inform my next ear pro purchase.

From listening to the Meateater podcast on this topic is seems that most customs can have new moldings made and the expensive electronics just drop right in. You might want to look at that option.

 

[rustneversleeps]

I’ve had similar experiences. You can turn the volume up on most of these to the point where you can hear things that other people who don’t have seriously impacted hearing can’t. The downside is that you are also turning up all the background noise. That background noise will full-on wear your ass out after a whole day of chasing scaled quail on the windy-ass prairie while walking through shin oak. Even the sound of your footfalls gets magnified. I have not found a solution for that.

I also agree that buying good ear pro that has a high NRR is more important for big game and rifle range work because your initial dB levels are much higher with centerfire rifles. I have not looked at these for some time, but last time I did the Otto Noizbarriers had the highest NRR of any I saw (30ish?). That was only if you used the expanding foam earpieces though. If you use the silicon ones the NRR was in the low 20s, IRRC. That’s a huge difference. The people I’ve talked to who’ve used the Ottos reported having directional hearing with them, but I cannot comment as to how they compare with other makes on that front.

Are you still using these for upland/bird hunting or something else? I have been debating on these Ulitmate Quad BTs based off of the feedback.

 

[ElPollo]

Are you still using these for upland/bird hunting or something else? I have been debating on these Ulitmate Quad BTs based off of the feedback.

I use them for upland, waterfowl, and big game hunting. I also use them for range work when I’m not around people using big magnums or braked guns or handgun practice. In those cases, I use foamies or muffs, or a combination. I never shoot anything anymore without ear protection. My electronic plugs work just fine for shotguns and suppressed rifles, but not for multiple rounds of big, loud stuff. If I shoot enough rounds of those, I will notice my tinnitus pick up. They work for a couple rounds if it’s not braked. If someone pulls out a braked gun at the range anywhere near me, I generally reconsider my plans for the day.

 

[rustneversleeps]

I use them for upland, waterfowl, and big game hunting. I also use them for range work when I’m not around people using big magnums or braked guns or handgun practice. In those cases, I use foamies or muffs, or a combination. I never shoot anything anymore without ear protection. My electronic plugs work just fine for shotguns and suppressed rifles, but not for multiple rounds of big, loud stuff. If I shoot enough rounds of those, I will notice my tinnitus pick up. They work for a couple rounds if it’s not braked. If someone pulls out a braked gun at the range anywhere near me, I generally reconsider my plans for the day.

Thanks for the feedback man, thinking about grabbing a pair while they are on sale. Mostly will be using them for bird hunting - I'm the same way, have become OCD about hearing protection lately.

 

[ElPollo]

Thanks for the feedback man, thinking about grabbing a pair while they are on sale. Mostly will be using them for bird hunting - I'm the same way, have become OCD about hearing protection lately.

When I got back into bird hunting with desert quail about 12 years ago, it really changed my life for the better. But my hearing really started suffering. The in-the-ear electric ear pro was a game changer for me. Just wish I’d paid attention to that sooner.

 

[happybdayben]

Another vote for the Otto’s. I’d add getting the Comply foam tips. Wasn’t a fan of the ones that came with and they claim additional noise reduction.

 

[JPNW]

I use custom molded protection from my ear dr. There are different inserts from completely blocked to inserts where I can hear most anything but it blocks the loud bangs from my shotgun. They were $250. Any audiologist can make them.

 

[Louisiana Deerman]

So I'll post an update since I started this thread. I did a lot of forum reading and decided to try a pair of Sordin supreme pro-x over ear headphones since they are a slightly cheaper option. I have used walkers quad ultimate digital and also walkers silencer and the sordins are in another league. With the walkers, I was always aware that I had on headphones due to low mic quality and wind noise, but I find myself totally forgetting that I have on the sordins because the sound quality is so good and they are comfortable. I have not yet been out with them in windy or even moderately windy conditions so still TBD on that point. Also I took them to sporting clays the other day and I don't recall one feeling like they were interfering with the gun stock like the walkers quad, which I felt negatively affected my shooting percentage. I couldn't imagine not being able to hear incoming wood ducks in the timber, but we will see this duck season!

 

[Bluefish]

I agree that people can use anything poorly. That said, the expanding foam is much more likely to provide a better seal and a higher NRR if you use them correctly. My issue with the custom fit plugs I have is that they have a relatively low NRR, and I’m getting the feeling that your ear canals can change over time. I’m just not getting the fit on these that I used to. The flip side of that is that I’ve gotten six years of use out of my non-rechargeable, custom fit plugs, which is a heck of a return on that investment. The rechargeable versions may not last as long and the availability of foam inserts for plugs that use them may not be there over the long term. Everything is a give and take. I’m just trying not to give any more of my hearing than I have to.

Appreciate these discussions, because they will inform my next ear pro purchase.

This is all true. Foam will offer a higher protection if fitted correctly, most people do not and actual protection is about 15 db. There are white papers on this. Also why foams rated by experimenter fit are derated by 1/2 in an industrial use. Custom fit top out in the 25-27 range when tested by user fit methods. We did this when I worked in the industry as user fit is not derated for industrial use. So a 33 foam is a 16.5 vs a 25 when use in industry.

Ear canals do change with time and we used to recommend new molds every 3-5 years or after a significant weight change. Why I always liked the Sens system as the ear molds are silicone and the electronics are modules that snap in. I still am using the molds I had made 10+ years ago, but I had them made with extra long canals. Helped that I was in charge of new products and had an r/d lab.

 

[RockAndSage]

So I'll post an update since I started this thread. I did a lot of forum reading and decided to try a pair of Sordin supreme pro-x over ear headphones since they are a slightly cheaper option. I have used walkers quad ultimate digital and also walkers silencer and the sordins are in another league. With the walkers, I was always aware that I had on headphones due to low mic quality and wind noise, but I find myself totally forgetting that I have on the sordins because the sound quality is so good and they are comfortable. I have not yet been out with them in windy or even moderately windy conditions so still TBD on that point. Also I took them to sporting clays the other day and I don't recall one feeling like they were interfering with the gun stock like the walkers quad, which I felt negatively affected my shooting percentage. I couldn't imagine not being able to hear incoming wood ducks in the timber, but we will see this duck season!

Appreciated reading your experiences here, would love to hear field follow-ups too.

 

[rye_a]

I have been using 3M Peltor EEP 100 electronic earplugs with 3M Skull Screw tips and they have been great.

 

[Kurts86]

I have used sordins for quite some time and as mentioned they are really good on sound quality and comfort with the gel cups compared to walkers or Howard Leight $50 electronic hearing protection. The only downside to them is they are hot on a dove hunt.

I was never able to find an in ear solution that worked well for a few hundred dollars or less. I returned axil’s and others. 3M TEP’s are the only ones I’d still like to try without burning some HSA money on custom in ear plugs.

The upside of really good electronic muffs are they cost 1/3 of custom in ear plugs.